Union sues to stop nursing home plan

The union that represents workers at Saratoga County’s Maplewood Manor nursing home is suing to block the county’s plans to sell it.

The Civil Service Employees Association has filed a lawsuit against the county, asking a state Supreme Court judge to rule that the Board of Supervisors acted illegally in creating a local development corporation to take ownership of Maplewood Manor, as a step toward selling it.

CSEA is asking Supreme Court Judge Robert Chauvin, who will hear the case, to annul the decision, thereby blocking the plan.

CSEA President Danny Donohue said in a statement today, “Saratoga County’s actions are, at best, questionable ... Unfortunately, in county after county we have seen elected officials walk away from responsibility to our seniors. CSEA has made it clear that we will not hesitate to take our case to the judicial system whenever necessary.”

The release from CSEA cites the Maplewood Manor example as a trend in counties across the state. "CSEA is alarmed that these actions also seek quick political fixes at the long-term expense of people and communities," read the release. "CSEA’s first legal action involving the transfer of public nursing facility operations to a local development corporation was filed last month, challenging action by Onondaga County. Oral arguments in that case were held today in state Supreme Court in Syracuse.